What Are the Advantages of wholesale vegetable seeds？

Since we first grew Microgreens in , we have watched how they have surged in popularity due to their nutritional density, vibrant colors, and intense flavors. As more people recognize their benefits, many are considering growing microgreens at home or on a larger scale. One crucial decision for growers is whether to buy seeds in bulk or in small batches.

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This blog explores the advantages of purchasing microgreen seeds in bulk and provides a detailed cost analysis, along with potential disadvantages to consider. Buying in bulk significantly reduces the cost per unit weight of seeds. This is particularly advantageous for those who grow microgreens regularly or at a commercial scale. Additionally, bulk purchasing can ensure a consistent supply, reducing the risk of running out of seeds during peak growing periods. Let’s compare the prices of different bag sizes for popular microgreen seeds from one of our favorite seed suppliers, True Leaf Market (based on current July market prices):

Price Comparison of Different Bag Sizes

Seed Type 1 oz 4 oz 1 lb 5 lb 25 lb Broccoli - Waltham 29 $5.09 $7.19 $13.72 $47.46 $178.23 Basic Salad Mix (Organic) $6.54 $14.21 $40.05 $144.06 $552.49 Radish - Rambo (Organic) N/A $13.62 $36.58 $131.93 $520.33 Sunflower - Black Oil (Organic) N/A N/A $9.82 $23.54 $81.37 Note: Prices are based on the current July market and may increase or decrease over time. Pricing does not include additional taxes, fees or shipping costs. These prices are based on one of our favorite seed supplier's website, TrueLeafMarket.com, and the link provided is our affiliate link, through which we earn a small percentage if you shop through it at no additional cost to the buyer.

Cost Analysis Using 25 Grams of Microgreen Seeds per Flat

Broccoli - Waltham 29 ()

Bag Size Price ($) Grams Flats Covered Cost per Flat ($) 1 oz $5.09 28.35 ~1 ~$5.09 4 oz $7.19 113.4 ~4.5 ~$1.60 1 lb $13.72 454 ~18 ~$0.76 5 lb $47.46 ~90 ~$0.53 25 lb $178.23 ~453 ~$0.39

Basic Salad Mix (Organic) Microgreen Seeds ()

Bag Size Price ($) Grams Flats Covered Cost per Flat ($) 1 oz $6.54 28.35 ~1 ~$6.54 4 oz $14.21 113.4 ~4.5 ~$3.16 1 lb $40.05 454 ~18 ~$2.23 5 lb $144.06 ~90 ~$1.60 25 lb $552.49 ~453 ~$1.22

Radish Rambo (Organic) Microgreen Seeds ()

Bag Size Price ($) Grams Flats Covered Cost per Flat ($) 4 oz $13.62 113.4 ~4.5 ~$3.03 1 lb $36.58 454 ~18 ~$2.03 5 lb $131.93 ~90 ~$1.47 25 lb $520.33 ~453 ~$1.15

Cost Analysis Using 125 Grams of Seed per Flat for Sunflower ()

Bag Size Price ($) Grams Flats Covered Cost per Flat ($) 1 lb $9.82 454 ~3.63 ~$2.71 5 lb $23.54 ~18.14 ~$1.30 25 lb $81.37 ~90.72 ~$0.90

As shown, throughout all tables for each variety, the cost per flat decreases significantly with larger quantities, demonstrating substantial savings when purchasing in bulk. For instance, when comparing the price of broccoli seeds, purchasing a 25-pound bag reduces the cost per flat to about $0.39, whereas buying a 1-ounce bag costs about $5.09 per flat. This trend is consistent across other varieties like Basic Salad Mix and Radish Rambo, where larger bulk purchases lead to lower costs per flat.

Consistency and Quality Control

Buying seeds in bulk ensures consistency in the quality of the microgreens your growing. Seeds from the same batch will have similar growth rates, germination rates, and flavors, leading to a more uniform crop. This is particularly important for commercial growers who need to maintain a high standard for their produce.

To give you an example, in the past, we had a batch of Sunflower Microgreen seeds that germinated perfectly and quickly on every tray we planted. This continued all the way through finishing the bag of seeds. On our next batch of Sunflower seeds, we saw the opposite. Though we used the same method as we previously had been using with consistent success, the seeds took much longer to germinate, and the number of days till harvest increased. This meant we would need to adjust our delivery day timing had we been growing the new seed for a customer.

Could you imagine if we had bought multiple small bags of seeds and had this issue? It could have been a lot more inconsistency to deal with, compared to a single big bag adjustment.

Convenience and Reduced Environmental Impact

Purchasing in bulk also reduces the frequency of orders, saving time and reducing shipping costs. It minimizes the environmental impact by reducing the packaging waste associated with multiple smaller orders. Bulk packaging typically uses less material overall compared to numerous smaller packets, contributing to a more sustainable growing practice.

Long-term Storage and Proper Handling

Microgreen seeds can be stored for extended periods if kept in cool, dry, and dark conditions. Buying in bulk allows growers to maintain a ready supply of seeds, ensuring they never run out and can continue planting without interruption. Proper storage techniques include using airtight containers and desiccants to maintain seed viability over time.

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Avoiding Bird Seed for Growing Microgreens

It's crucial to avoid using bird seed for growing microgreens. Bird seeds are not treated or handled with the same care as seeds meant for human consumption. They may be contaminated with bacteria, fungi, or other pathogens due to less stringent sanitary conditions. Additionally, bird seeds might be treated with chemicals that are harmful if ingested by humans. Always choose seeds specifically labeled for growing microgreens to ensure safety and quality.

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Disadvantages of Buying Microgreen Seeds in Bulk

While buying microgreen seeds in bulk offers several advantages as discussed above, there are some potential drawbacks that growers should consider too:

Storage Challenges

• Space Requirements: Storing large quantities of seeds requires adequate space, which might be a constraint for smaller operations or home growers.
• Conditions: Seeds must be stored in cool, dry, and dark conditions to maintain their viability. Ensuring such conditions consistently can be challenging.
• Pest Control: Bulk storage can attract pests, and large quantities of seeds can be more challenging to protect from insects or rodents.

Seed Viability

• Shelf Life: Even under ideal conditions, seeds have a limited shelf life. Bulk purchases might lead to wastage if the seeds are not used within their viable period.
• Decreased Germination Rates: Over time, the germination rates of seeds can decrease. If seeds are stored for too long, this can result in lower yields. You may also run into them molding easier over time.

Upfront Costs

• Initial Investment: Buying in bulk requires a higher upfront investment, which might not be feasible for everyone, especially beginners or small-scale growers.
• Cash Flow Impact: For commercial growers, tying up capital in seed purchases might impact cash flow and the ability to invest in other areas of their business.

Seed Quality

• Batch Quality Variability: If a bulk batch of seeds has quality issues (e.g., low germination rate, disease), it can lead to significant losses, as the entire batch would be compromised.
• Supplier Reliability: Trusting a supplier for bulk purchases is crucial. Any compromise in seed quality or delivery issues can have a magnified impact compared to smaller purchases. This is why we have primarily stuck to using Trueleafmarket.com since . Occasionally we'll order seeds from Amazon, and have a few favorite brands on there. However, True Leaf Market has been consistent for us in seed quality and pricing. Plus, if you receive a batch you think is not working well, they have a great customer service team that can help you out.

Variety Limitations

• Experimentation: Buying in bulk limits the ability to experiment with different seed varieties. Growers might miss out on discovering new microgreens that could be more suited to their growing conditions or market preferences.
• Limited Flexibility: If market demand changes or a grower's preferences shift, having a large stockpile of a particular seed variety can be limiting.

Management

• Inventory Management: Managing a large inventory of seeds can require diligent tracking and organization to avoid mismanagement or spoilage.
• Rotation Practices: Ensuring older seeds are used first (FIFO: First In, First Out) to maintain freshness and viability can be more complex with bulk quantities.

Conclusion

The advantages of buying microgreen seeds in bulk are clear. Cost savings, consistency in quality, convenience, and a reduced environmental footprint make bulk purchasing an attractive option for both hobbyists and commercial growers. However, potential challenges such as storage requirements, seed viability, and upfront costs should be carefully considered. By understanding the financial and practical benefits, as well as the potential drawbacks, growers can make informed decisions that support their goals and sustainability practices.

We're personally on Team Bulk Seed, and like to lean more towards buying the 1lb bags up to 5lb bags, unless we know it's a seed like sunflower or pea microgreens where we use a lot. For more detailed information on specific seed varieties and bulk purchasing options, visit TrueLeafMarket.com . If you'd like to learn how much seed we suggest per tray size for growing microgreens, download our Free PDF Guide - Tray Specific Microgreen Seeding Guide.

If you’ve determined that you want to start your vegetable, herb or flower garden from seed, but would like to know some of the differences between purchasing your seeds from a store vs. a catalog, I’ve got some quick tips and considerations about each to help you inform your decision. Let’s jump in! 

But, if we haven’t met, I’m Cassandra. I’m a city backyard homesteader and, like you, I was curious about the differences between store vs. catalog seeds. So, let’s start by discussing the main pros and cons to purchasing store bought seeds, then, we’ll do the same for catalog seeds. 

First, let’s talk about the pros and cons of purchasing your seeds from a catalog

A few pro’s to store bought seeds are: 

1. One, it’s likely the most convenient option. It’s super easy to pick up seeds while you’re already there for other items, and for the most part, you’ll get a decent selection.
2. Two, chain stores usually carry seeds of vegetables, fruit, and herbs that are regionally agreeable to your climate. You don’t have to worry if a particular variety is suited to your growing zone. You may also find a small selection of heirloom, hybrid, and organic seeds.
3. And, third, store-bought seeds are competitively priced, meaning, dollars for dollars, they’re the cheapest option. 

Related: Interested in starting seeds in milk jugs? Check out this post to learn how! But, if you’re short on time, watch the 5 minute video I made instead:

There are a few cons to consider when purchasing store-bought seeds:

1. First, seeds sold in stores may not have been stored under ideal temperature conditions. As a result, germination rates of store-bought seeds can be inconsistent from pack to pack. 
2. Second…you don’t know who you’re supporting with your purchase– and if having a Monsanto free garden is important to you, you’ll want to ensure that your purchases only support companies who are 100% non-GMO AND have signed the safe seed pledge. 
3. Third..Variety! Box store retailers prioritize shelving space to stock only the most popular seed types. If you’re interested in rare or heirloom varieties—or other special disease-resistant strains—you’ll likely only find them online or in seed catalogs. 

Now let’s talk about the pros and cons of purchasing your seeds from a catalog. 

A few pro’s to catalog seeds are: 

1. One- Value. If you have a sizable garden, ordering seeds from a catalog or online is often cheaper because you’ll be eligible for bulk discounts.
2. Two,  with catalogs, you can choose seed companies that are in your geographic region or climate, which means they’ll have the best information as to what varieties will perform extremely well in your area’s conditions.
3. Third, if you’re interested in rare or heirloom varieties—or other special disease-resistant strains—you’ll  find the best selection online or in seed catalogs. 
4. Fourth-Most catalog seed companies are family owned and operated, so your support of local or small businesses makes  the slightly higher cost to support catalog operations and local economies immeasurable. 
5. And, fifth- most seed companies are dedicated to the preservation of  heirloom seeds, and, I don’t know about you, but stewarding the thousands of crops that we’ll neither see nor eat in a grocery store is important, because that’s our collective human history. 

But, there are a few downsides to ordering from seed catalogs. 

1. It can be expensive! That’s because the seed prices will be a little higher than what you pay in stores AND you’ll also be paying shipping charges! This can add up quickly. To circumvent this, try sharing the expenses with a fellow gardening friend and ordering together. 
2. You may not be able to get all your seed needs from one catalog. This is where catalog shopping can become inconvenient. Paying to ship the first time is something you can stomach, but twice?  Yikes!  If you’re on the newer side of gardening, here’s where you may want to only place orders with the company that is going to offer you the most varieties and rely on big box stores to supplement the seeds you are particular about. 
3. And, third- It takes time to get your order.  Now,  this isn’t an issue if you order early, but if you don’t then you won’t be able to get what you’re looking for in time to grow for that season.  You’ve got to be proactive and organized when ordering through the mail so you don’t miss out on varieties you want to grow.  

So, how do I decide what’s best for me?

Now that you have a baseline of the pros and cons of purchasing seeds from a store vs. catalog, also know that an important consideration to keep in mind when determining if you should purchase seeds from a store vs. a catalog is to identify what stage gardener you are. If you’re relatively new to gardening and will simultaneously be building your gardening tool inventory, soil amendments, and other supplies, you may want to start by purchasing your seeds at the store because they’ll carry all the basic vegetable varieties that you need to get started, at reasonable prices. But, once you gain some experience you may want to expand your choices and explore beyond the basics, which will inevitably lead you to the immense variety you’ll only find in seed catalogs. 

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